Black-out means



y 25, 1944- T. T. TUCKER 2,354,489

BLACK-OUT MEANS Filed April 7", 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

THOMAS T. TUCKER.

BY {may/Jaw ATTORNEY:

' -'r. T. TUCKER 2,354,489 BLACK-OUT MEANS Filed April 7. 1942 s Sheets-Sheet ,2

. 4 w, a i 8 i H r l. V

July 25,1944. 7

INVENTOR. THOMAS 1: ucmm. 5 flQu U ATTORNEY.

. July 25, 1 944. m. TUCKER 2,354,489

BLACK-OUT MEANS Fiied April 7, 1942 s sheets-sheet 5 FIGTY r THOMAS TUCKER.

6M. [3 mm ATTORNEY.

, another I an improved black-out means for an opening comprising a support adapted to be removably Patented July25, 1944 UNITED STATE s *PATENT OFFICE A BLACK-OUT MEANS Thomas '1. Tucker, Atlanta, Ga. Application Aprll7,1942, Serial No. 437,989

' (onto-2s) 5 Claims. This invention relates to black-out means for openings in the walls of a-building, whereby light rays originating in the building are completely shut off or trapped; that is, each opening is sealed against the passage or escape of light or light rays so that danger of visibility of light resulting from a light source within the building, from a positlon exte'riorly thereof, is entirely eliminated.

attached to the walls of the opening. ide means and an opaque shade mounted for movement between the guide means and walls.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved black-out means comprising a skeleinvention in.biack-out means in Fig. '7; and .10

Fig. 5a. is a section on the line Ia-Ia of Fig. 5;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing another modified'form of construction; 1

Fig. 'l is an elevational view showing a fragmentary portion of a building wall having a window therein and a different embodiment of my Fig. 8 is an endelevation of the parts shown Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the parts shown in- Figs. 7 and 8.

In the drawings, 1 indicates the wall of a building having therein an opening in which is mountton mine adapted to be removably related to the facing walls of an opening and a pull-down opaque shade, the frame having side portions forming with the facing walls closed guide-ways for the shade, whereby the opening is sealed against the e of light therethrough when the shade is in pull-down tion.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved black-out means for a window, comprising a frame'and' an opaque roll shade, the frame being constructed to co-operate with the sides of the window to enclose the shade rolland the side portions of the shade when the latter is in pull-down position. v

Other objects of the invention will be -9pmeat to those skilled in the art to which my invention relates from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. l is an elevational view showing afragmentary portion of a building wall having a window therein and a black-out means embodying my invention;

Fig. 1a ish fragmentary section on the line' la-la of F18. 1:

Fig. 2 is. a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Figs. 3 and! are fragmentary sections on the lines'I-l and 4-4 respectively of Fig. 1;

Fig. 1a is a fragmentary front elevation of'parts shown in-Fig.l, enlarged;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modified form of construction; i

ed a frame The disclosed embodiment of my invention is shown 'associated with a frame for a window; accordingly, the'frame 2 consists 'of side members 2' provided with guides for the upper and lower sashes 2a, 2b, of the window, a cross member 3 secured to the wall I at the upper end of the frame I. a'base member 4, to which is secured a sill 8, and side members 8 extending from the sill i to the cross member 3. 2:: indicates a supporting oralining, device suitably secured to the cross'member I; the purpose of this device will belater set forth.

I indicates a suitable shade mounted on a roller, the opposite ends of which are provided with supporting elementsengaging suitable brackets la; which are-secured to the side members 2' of the frame 2. As will be understood, one of the supporting elements non-rotatablyengages the adjacent bracket-la and is connected to one end of a spring (not shown), the opposite end of the latter being anchored within the roller, so that by relative rotative movement between the roller and the supporting element (to which the spring -1 w the roller may be put under tension and locked by a dog pivoted on the-roller and en aging an abutment on the supporting element;

this arrangement permitting the shadeto be lowered any desired distance and raised.

I indicates as an entirety a black-out means adapted-to be removably attached or mounted on either'the exterior or interior side of the .frame 2, the latter position being shown as being the preferred arrangement. The black-out means I comprise a frame indicated as an entirety at I and an opaque shade It having a width greater than the spacing between the side members 0 of the frame 2, so that the lateral, portions of the shade -ll overlapthe side members i when in black-out position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. -The, frame! consists of thejollowing: N indicates side members each having on its inner face, preferably adiacent its I strip I2 is suitably secured to modate the rod in.

outer edge, a strip I2 extending from end to end of the side member and arranged to engage the adjacent side member 6 when the frame 9 is secured in position, as later set fort the side member II by glue, screws or other devices. As willbe observed from Fig. 4, each side member II and the strip I2 attached thereto co-operate with the adjacent sash frame side member 8 to form a channel I3 closed alongits outer side.

The strips I2 have a predetermined thickness, whereby the resulting channel I3 will slidably accommodate the opposite ends of the rod or reinforcing member 9a incorporated in the free or outer end of the opaqueghade III during movement of the latter. I4 indicates a casing disposed at the upper ends of the side members II and rigidly connected thereto by means of blocks I5. The casing I4 preferably extends at its opposite ends to the outer side edges of the side members II and consists of a top wall a, ar ranged to rest on the supporting device 2.? in

engagement with the cross member 3, a front wall ,Ilb, end walls I40 and a bottom wall Md. As shown in Fig. 2, these walls are related to the cross member 3, when the frame 9 is in position, so as to enclose the roller and shade 9 thereon. As shown, the bottom wall Md is of less width than the top wall Ila, so that its inner edge is spaced from the cross member 3 to Each shade "to insure a'black-out result. The frame 9 i removably secured to the frame 2 by screws 9' or other suitable devices. When the frame I is to be positioned, the supporting member 2: is first fixed to the cross member 3 at such elevation above the sill 5, that the top wall of the casing I4 will engage the member 2a: and the lower ends of the side members II will engage the sill 5. Thereafter the screws 2' are applied to secure frame 9 to the side members II.

The black-out shade III is formed of suitable material or combination of materialsto make it completely opaque so as to exclude the passage of light therethrough. In practice I have used a suitable textile material, such as cotton fabric, oneor both sides thereof are coated with black paint. The shade I is wound on a suitable roller 9?), which is provided interiorly with a spring 99: (see Fig. a) for operating it in the wind-up direction, provided at its opposite ends with supporting elements, which engage brackets IO preferably supported on the end walls Ilc of the cas-" As will be understood, one of the supporting elements is connected to the spring for the roller 9b and non-rotatively connected to the ing I4.

- adjacent bracket, so that when the spring is form a slot or opening through which the opaque shade III moves when operated to and from the black-out position. The inner edge of the bottom'wall Md is disposed substantially flush with the inner wallsor faces of the channels I3, so that the slot or opening between this wall and the cross member 3 is equal in width to the channels I3 to permit the rod 90 to pass therethrough.

pull of the cord 20 and unwinding of the shade I6, IIia, indicate inner and outer guards extending between the side members II and having between them a spacer IIextending along their lower edges to form a pocket for the outer or free end of the shade III when the latter is operated to black-out position. As shown, the guards I6, IGa, extend to a point above the lower horizontal bar for thewindow sash 2b. The guard's IS, in, are rigidly secured to the spacer H in any desiredmanner. The outer guard I611 preferably consists of two sections lib, IGb', secured together face to face,.the inner section I6b fitting between the side members II and suitably secured at its opposite end thereto. The outer section IBb' extends beyond the opposite ends of the section I6b so as to lap over the lower ends of the side members II to which it is rigidly secured in any desired manner. The inner guard I6 is reduced in length, as compared with the outer guard section I6b, so as to fit within the put under tension it will normally tend to wind the curtain on the roller lb. The free or outer end of the shade III' is provided with a pull-down cord or chain '20, the outer end portion of which is arranged to be engagedby a clamping device, indicated as an entirety at 2|, whereby, upon Hi from the roller 92) against the tension of the spring therefor, the cord may be secured to the clamping device and the shade held in pull-down position under tension. Theclamping device 2| preferably consists of a roll2la around which the cord 20 is reeved. the roll 2 la being rotatably mounted at it opposite ends in standards 2Ib fixed to a base 22,-which is suitably secured to the sill 5. The roll 2Ia. is formed with a centrally disposed annular groove 23 and spiral grooves leading from the opposite sides of the annular groove and merging at the outer ends with the periphery of the roll, sothat upon pulling the shade downand then guiding the cord into one of the spiral grooves (see Figures-1 and 4a), the latter becomes wedged between the roll 2Ia and base 22. The guard Ito and spacer II are cut-away, as shown at I I to form an opening for the cord 20 and accommodate the clamping device II in position to permit engagement of the cord 20 therewith. It will be observed that the black-out shade III is of maximum width dependent upon the spacing of the strips sponds' to that of the strips I2 so that the pocket formed between the guards II,

The inner wall or faces of the side members I I, strip I2, casing I4 and guards Ii, I641, are preferably coated with. a light absorbing material .suchas black paint II.

From the foregoing description it'will be noted that the frame 9 i a unitary structure which enables it tobe attached to and removed from I80, will accom- I2, to permit the lateral portions of-the shade to overlap a major portion of the side members; by preference, the shade is of such width that its opposite side edges move in close relation to the inner faces of the strips I2, this overlapping and .close sliding relation serving to trap the lightalong'tlie sides of' the shade.

or free and enter the pocket formed by the guards I6, I6a, so that the light is trapped at the bottom of the window. As the casing I4 is connected to the side members I I and fits against the cross member 3, it completelyenclosesthe shade roller 91; to trap light at the upper end of When the shade III is pulled down to its full limit, its. outer is are mounted in close relation to and below the supporting device 2: so that when the frame Ob and that portion of the shade wound thereon.

Fig. 6 illustrates a different modification wherein the outeror free end of the black-out shade III .is provided with a light lock device or apron 24 -co-extensive in length to therod 8a. The device 24 is formed of flexible material, such as cotton fabric, of loop shape in cross section, being stitched to and dependingfrom the shade material looped around the rod-9a. The material of the device 24 being flexible, it may be distorted and compressed into the bottom of the pocket between the guards l6, 15a, to eifect a complete closis in position the casing ll enclosesfthe roller the clamping device'2lx is so positioned onthe ing of the-pocket, when the shade I is pulled v downto substantially the limit of its movement.

It will be observed that the frame 9', as shown in Figsa'l to 6, inclusive, consists of rectilinear sections whereby the material thereof may be readily cut to desired. lengths and widths -aiid then fabricated into the unitary structure. Where these sections are formed of wood (the material herein illustrated), each may be cut from ply-board, which insures lightness for "easy-handling, as well as rigidity throughout the frame.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a different-embodiment of the invention. 'In these views, Ia: indicates the wall of the building, Ix. in cates the frame in which the windowsashes 2a 2b, arev mounted and comprising side members 61:, a cross member 3:: at the upper ends of the side mem- .bers and a sill x. 25 indicates supports suitably secured to the cross member 3a: and each proadded with upper and lower brackets 26, 2811,

respectively alined with corresponding brackets provided on the other support 25, and arranged 1 to support the lower bracket=26a above the lower Ilia: indicates" side edge of the cross member .32, the black-out shade formed of textile material and'suitably painted to insure complete opaque ness. The width of the shade I01: is greater than sill 5:: relative to the inner side of the roller 21, that when the cord 20.1 is pulled to effect a'pulldown of the shade Illa: the advancing portion of I the latter will move in a plane parallel to the side members 63; also, when the .cord 20:: is clamped 'by the device Hz, the latter will co-act' with the guide roller to maintain the shade in this parallel relation to the side members in. It will be ob served that when the shade Illa: is moved into black-out position by a pull on the cord 20:: the tension of the spring in the roller Illa is increased and the cord 20:: is clamped by the device 2 la: with the spring in the roller Illa under tension normally tending to re-wind the shade on the latter. so thatthe shade isheld taut between its roller and the clamping device, whereby the latter device and guide roller 21 are effective to hold the shade in close relation 'to theside'members 6:

and thus prevent any ,light rays from'passing through the window at either side of the shade. To insure trapping of the light rays at the free end of the shade when in pull-down or black-out position, I-provide on suchend a light lock de- -vice 28,which is similar in construction to the the spacing of the side members 8:, whereby the lateral sides thereof lap over a wide portion of thes'e'members. The shade [011$ wound on a roller Illa which is provided at its opposite ends with supporting elemefits mounted in the alined brackets 26. As will-be understood the roller Ila is' provided interiorly with a spring (not shown), one end of which is anchored to the roller. The other end of the spring is secured to the adjacent supporting element (shown at Ila in Fig. 8)., which non-rotatably engages the adjacent bracket 28, so that by putting the spring under tension, by relative rotative movement between the roller and the supporting element and engaging'the latter with the bracket 26, the roller will normally tend to wind the shade thereon.

By preference, I provide dog and ratchet devices- (not shown) between the roller and the element to which the spring is connected to facilitate putting the spring under tension and mounting the shade roller on the brackets 26. The outer or free end of the shade Illa is provided with a cord 20:: which is arranged to be engaged by a clamp-.

device 24. When the shade Illa: is operated to black-out position, its free end is moved into close relation to the. sill 53:, the effect of which is to distort the device 28 and cause portions *thereof to flatten out on the sill and thus seal the space between the latterand the rodillb,

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates, many changes in construction and widely difl'ering embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein .are purely sense limiting.

WhatIclaimisz. l u

1. A black-out means for an opening in the wall of a building, comprising an opaque shade on a spring operatedroll adapted to be mounted illustrative and are not intended to be in an! above the opening and provided on its free end with a transverse rod, an enclosure for the shade roll, the lateral portions of saidshade extending' beyond the lateral sides of the opening when ina pull-down position, a unitary frame consisting of side channel members adapted to be removably secured to the building wall, a bottom channel member and an enclosure for the roll at the upper ends of said side channel members, said ing device 2la: mounted on the sill 5.1:. The I clamping device 2 la; is similar in construction and operation to the clamping device 2|. 21 indicates means for guiding the shade Ilia: when the latter is unwound from the roller 10a and pulled down into black-out position as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 or re-wound thereon. The guide means 21 consists of aroller mounted at. its opposite ends in the alined brackets 26a and arranged to guide and free to be rotated by the shade Illa: when the channel members extending a substantial distance-"inwardly around the edges of the shade when in pull-down position to. hold the shade vtherebeneathand prevent the esca of light,

j 5 2. Ablack-out means as claimed in claim 1 wherein is provided a flexible pull-down device connected to said rod, upper and lower devices engaging said shade and pull-down device, respectively, forguidingthe shade during winding 4- g s,ss4,4sc

thereoi on said roller and unwinding of the shade therefrom, in close parallel. relation to the faces of the wall, the upper device consisting oi the inner edge on the bottom wall of said enclosure and the lower device consisting of a clamp 5 adapted'to be fixedly related to the wall below I the opening and arranged to secure said flexible pull-down device against movement, whereby said shade is held taut throughout the length of the side channel members in opposition to the tension building wall comprising an opaque shade on a shade'roli adapted to bomounted on the wall above the opening therein, an alining deviee adapted to be ilxed to the wall above said roll, side channel members adapted to be removably secured to the wall at opposite sides or the opening therein and'extend along the latter, a bottom channel member connected to the lower end's oi said side channel members, said channel members extending a substantial distance inwardly around the edges or the shadewhen the and a flexible device connected t t e outer e d latter is in pull-down position to hold the shade in position, an enclosure for said roll secured to said side channel members and having a top wall engagingsaid alining device, the bottom side, channel members and providing an opening tom channelto iorm' therewith a light trap for 35 the outer end portion or said shade when the latter is in pull-down position, the opposite ends oi. said cross member being adapted-to engage the opposed and inner faces 0! the side walls of wall of said enclosure being connected to'said the opening and co-operate with said alining device to relate the channel members to the opening and the enclosure to said roll.

4. A black-out means iorvan opening in the wall of a building, comprising an opaque shade on are adapted to be mounted above the opening, the lateral portions "01 said shade extending beyond the lateral sides of the opening when in -1 the pull-down position. a unitary frame consisting of side channel members adapted to be removably secured to the building wall, a bottom channel member and an enclosure for the roll at the upper ends of said side channel members,

said channel members extending'a substantial distance inwardly around the edges of the shade when in pull-down position'to hold the shade in position and prevent the escape of light, the

channels 0! said side channel members being connected at their upper ends with said enclosure, a cross member spacedly connected to said bottom channel member for completing therewith the bottom channel and forming a pocket into which'the outer end of the shade projects when the latter is in pull-down position, said bottom channel member being formed with an opening.

of. said shade and reeved through the opening formed in said bottom channel member for unwinding the shade from said roll.

5. In a device of the class,describe d, a shade,

a roll for mounting the upper-end of the shade on andin close relation to, a window frame, a loop in the shade adjacent to its lower end, a rod in said, loop, means for securing said rod together with its loop against a portion of the window frame, and van apron extending beyond the loop and lying on the sill or the window irame when the shade is in pull-down position.

, THOMAS T. 

